South-end land for new school?
School Board OKs $2 million for 40 acres in Navarre
BY VICI PAPAJOHN Gulf Breeze News vici@gulfbreezenews.com

At the Santa Rosa School Board meeting on Feb. 28, the school board approved $2 million to purchase a 40-acre plot of Navarre land from former school teacher Katherine Petrelis. Petrelis is selling 40 acres of her 307-acre plot of land northwest of Fern street off of Edgewood Drive and is gifting an additional five acres.

The approved purchase is an excellent value, according to Gina L. Boyleston, President-Broker-Realtor of Louis Boyleston Realty & Auction, Inc. Boyleston is Petrelis' realtor.

"We are considering the purchase of the Navarre property as a swap since its purchase is contingent upon the sale of the school board property currently occupied by the Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce," explains Steve Ratliff, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services. "We do not currently have plans for the land, we are banking it for future use."

The parcel is located west of Holley by the Sea.

"The property is in a great location. We do not currently have a schedule for closing. The school board has already done due diligence about a year ago, and some of the tests just need to be refreshed. It is contingent upon the property selling in Gulf Breeze proper, so we are remaining flexible."

The school board has a $1.6 contract from Tiger Point Land and Development on the property in Gulf Breeze. Bill Kearney signed the contract with the county, according to Broker/Realtor Jim Lively of Gulf Breeze Realty. There is no specific timeline on closing the transaction, and the process could take an additional month or two.

"We are very confident the Gulf Breeze deal will close, and then we will move forward with the land purchase in Navarre," Ratliff assures.